Cleaning Reels.

[Missouribassman95]

Okay I'm thinking of cleaning my reels, but I really don't know how. What should I use? I was thinking of WD40, but I don't really even know where to put it. How often should I be cleaning them? Thanks

[Packard]

There are many threads on this topic recently. Scroll down this page and try the next page as well. You will most likely find more info their rather than people having to re post it all here.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

A reel should be cleaned and lubed at least once a year, more often for heavier use. You don't want WD40 anywhere near the internals of your reel. It and other spray lubes contain solvents that actually act as a degreaser. As stated there are several threads about DIY reel care and it is not out of the question but based on the basic nature of your inquiry, may I suggest having them serviced professionally? As a sponsor of the forum I extend a 10% discount to members. This makes the cost of a clean/lube service only $16.20 plus shipping and parts if needed. I also offer tuning and upgrades where appropriate to maximize reel performance. Let me know if I can help. If you decide to DIY and get stuck, post a question and me, Jfrancho or one of the other folks will try to help.

Mike L

[LgMouthGambler]

Quantum Hot Sauce oil and grease. Follow manufacturers guide in the owners manual that was supplied with th reel.

[Bass Junkie]

Rem Oil or 3-In-1 oil work well, but you'll need to apply it every three or four trips to keep things smooth. I find it worth it though, because the low viscosity of the oil can make your reels cast better than just about anything, Hot Sauce included, at least in my experience.

[J Francho]

Quantum Hot Sauce oil and grease.

Worst crap ever. If you like cleaning your gear after every three or four outings, then go ahead.

Cal's Lighter Grade Reel Grease and Shimano Bantam Oil are good general purpose lubes.

[A-Jay]

Worst crap ever. If you like cleaning your gear after every three or four outings, then go ahead.

Cal's Lighter Grade Reel Grease and Shimano Bantam Oil are good general purpose lubes.

J, Don't bother sugar coating it - tell us how you really feel.

btw - I used it last summer on 10 casting reels - which are now at (DVT) to be cleaned.

A-Jay

[J Francho]

I'm sure someone will be along shortly to tout the merits of it. Not going to change my mind about it. Ever.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I'd like to be that guy just to play with ya' but I can't. Not even for a joke.

[LgMouthGambler]

Worst crap ever. If you like cleaning your gear after every three or four outings, then go ahead.

Cal's Lighter Grade Reel Grease and Shimano Bantam Oil are good general purpose lubes.

Highly recommended by every angler Ive ever met, I use it for all my reels, and they perform better than new after. I clean my reels at least twice a year, due to I use the hell out of them. If you dont like it, than im sorry, but I have nothing but good to say about this product. Maybe its how you clean your reels? I dont know, but Im very thorough, and my reels last me, and this product has proven me no wrong.

[J Francho]

It must be the way I clean my reels. Good luck with yours.

[LgMouthGambler]

NY, enough said. Explains your bad attitude.

[0119]

Wow I thought I was the expert at ticking off moderators, you take the crown from me. Bantam has warned us many times that Hot Sauce will void your warranty on his companies reels so watch out. Ive had 3 in 1 oil badly discolor the black chrome plastic pieces of a Revo SX but otherwise worked well. Inox if you can find it, is very good. If you can find it too, Daiwas blue grease is a very good grease but I understand they dont make it available to the retail market anymore.

[Missouribassman95]

A reel should be cleaned and lubed at least once a year, more often for heavier use. You don't want WD40 anywhere near the internals of your reel. It and other spray lubes contain solvents that actually act as a degreaser. As stated there are several threads about DIY reel care and it is not out of the question but based on the basic nature of your inquiry, may I suggest having them serviced professionally? As a sponsor of the forum I extend a 10% discount to members. This makes the cost of a clean/lube service only $16.20 plus shipping and parts if needed. I also offer tuning and upgrades where appropriate to maximize reel performance. Let me know if I can help. If you decide to DIY and get stuck, post a question and me, Jfrancho or one of the other folks will try to help.

Mike L

I would do that forsure, except I'm only 16 so I don't have a debit card or anything and IDK if my parents would pay for it.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I enjoy helping a young person enjoy a wholesome hobby. How many reels do you have that need cleaning? I'll do two free for you if you pay the shipping and the regular member price on any additional, debit, credit, check or MO. Merry Christmas!

Mike

[Red]

I enjoy helping a young person enjoy a wholesome hobby. How many reels do you have that need cleaning? I'll do two free for you if you pay the shipping and the regular member price on any additional, debit, credit, check or MO. Merry Christmas!

Mike

This is why BR is the best!!!

[Gone_Phishin]

This is why BR is the best!!!

Awesome!!! Talk about awesome.

[Missouribassman95]

I enjoy helping a young person enjoy a wholesome hobby. How many reels do you have that need cleaning? I'll do two free for you if you pay the shipping and the regular member price on any additional, debit, credit, check or MO. Merry Christmas!

Mike

I have four, but that's a great deal, thank you so much! I'm gonna talk to my parents about this!

[Jig Man]

You might get something from this, http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/Reel_Care_tips.html

[Dave T.]

I enjoy helping a young person enjoy a wholesome hobby. How many reels do you have that need cleaning? I'll do two free for you if you pay the shipping and the regular member price on any additional, debit, credit, check or MO. Merry Christmas!

Mike

DVT... That is awesome of you to do! Even though I normally clean my own reels, I may send some to you to give them a once over... maybe critique my work.

Quick question... when you clean spinning reels, do you put a lineup mark on the main ring and pinion gear and put them back together using that lineup mark? Or, do you think it's a waste of time?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Dave, when you say main ring are you referring to the flat top main gear that drives the pinion when the handle is cranked? If so, I do not mark them but make sure they are seated, meshed properly and smooth before buttoning it up.

Where are you again in NEPA? We'll have to get together sometime.

[J Francho]

I thought I'd show you guys something HS related. This is a TD-Z Big Bait Special,, previously lubed with HS. Click the image for a full res version, and use the scroll bars to center on the main gear. What you are seeing is staining. After the the lube has been in the reel, it breaks down. It eventually ends up tacky, and mud brown to black. What it leaves behind on metal parts is almost impossible to get rid of without some serious chemicals.

Coincidentally, this reel also comes with a perfect example of why folks in the biz, like DVT Mike and myself hesitate to just let anyone open their reels and do the work themselves. Here, the last person before me to open this reel stripped the screw head. It's a common blunder, but this was a pro. Normally, I would extract it and replace the screw with one of the many I have on hand, but I wasn't willing to risk it with the magnesium framed reel. There is access to lube the bearing from the other side. Just one of the MANY things that can go wrong.

As with Mike, I am always here to help you guys out, especially if your favorite reel is in parts. But don't sit there and tell I don't know what I'm talking about just because my experience differs with your opinion.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Thanks for posting John. It's nice to have someone that's good with a camera and computer as well as knowing what he's talking about.

[noway]

Some know all, all know some.

[Dave T.]

Dave, when you say main ring are you referring to the flat top main gear that drives the pinion when the handle is cranked? If so, I do not mark them but make sure they are seated, meshed properly and smooth before buttoning it up.

Where are you again in NEPA? We'll have to get together sometime.

DVT,

That's exactly the gear(s) I'm talking about... thanks. I thought because of the wear pattern, it might be advantageous to keep them aligned in their current line up. However, as you say, if it feels smooth... I guess that's all that matters.

I'm up by the Wilkes-Barre area, and would love to get together sometime. I'm thinking about having a custom rod built for my son, and may stop down to talk to you about it. Plus, I could bring some of my reels.